ASH Report - Day 6

There's about to be a Fruit and Veg shortage over here in the UK.  Folks are being urged to not purchase more than they can eat themselves (or their family) and not to let what they are able to get go to waste.  This is after all an island, and there are a bunch of things that can't be grown here.  There was a flight that got out of Scotland this morning - a little twin prop plane and all the papers and news stations are carrying the picture like it's the first flight ever. 

Even still, it's all quite civilised over here.  I was at the Tate Modern yesterday and walked across the Millennium bridge back into the City of London, I am about 100 feet from the end of the bridge and we all get stopped by a guard because of a bin (trash can) fire.  There's apparently a gas powered scooter chained to it as well, so things could get interesting.  Nobody is allowed any further and we are all asked to go back across.  Nobody gets a Fire Extinguisher - they just push us all back across the bridge and wait for the LFB - London Fire Brigade to arrive to extinguish the flames.  It's all an interesting sight.  The Tate Modern was fantastic and spent much of my time in there thinking of all the artists that I know...Mary, Bob, AJ, Jesse...

then went and had drinks and fun with a new friend...all in all, a good afternoon!  =)  So, here's a shot of the bin fire - from across the way - natch! 

ASH Report - Day 5

Yesterday being Day 4 of the disturbance of air space due to Icelandic Ash, was also my first day of the stuff affecting my life.  My flight was canceled and I was left in London (no sad face necessary as I LOVE this city and would love to call it home at some point in my life).  I've got work I can do, am traveling for work (so they are picking up the cost of this trip) and there's really not much anyone can do.  The boss and VP have been cool about it and really...I had nothing to do with the sacrifice to the gods to make the volcano erupt and spew ash everywhere eruption.

I have been on the phone to corporate travel (who are quite useless, I will just say) and with my airline - go Virgin Atlantic - you guys continue to rock my world.  I'm re-booked (just waiting for the email with my e-ticket to come through) and flying out on Sunday 25 April.  Just a week late.  Not bad.  Considering the back log of people they have to get through and all of the unhappy customers (I'm sure) the folks at the Virgin call centre were extremely helpful and polite in taking my re-booking.

Anyway - looks like I'll be home, fingers crossed, next Sunday afternoon!  Lovely place to be stranded, this town they call London!  =)

One of my favorite shots so far of the city...the archer protecting the Queens jewels atop the Tower of London

ASH Report - DAy 4

I haven't really posted any updates or reports on the Icelandic Ash Cloud before now as it hasn't affected me, really, until today.  I was supposed to fly home to NYC this afternoon, and learned yesterday afternoon that all Virgin Atlantic flights had been canceled for today - so no flight home for me.  All Flights have been canceled for tomorrow as well.  Figured I would post an ASH Report as a new blog entry. 

I am over in London on business - well, was only supposed to be last week and then Iceland decided to have a volcano eruption and send all of Northern Europe into chaos.  I have survived the 9/11 attacks on NYC and the aftermath - working only blocks from the trade center.  I have survived snow storms and blizzards in NYC that have covered entire cars in snow and each outdoing the last in the record books.  I survived the Great Blackout of 2003 where much of the East Coast of the US was in complete darkness without electricity.  I survived being a traveler during the MD-80 crisis that took planes out of commission (including the one that was supposed to take me from LAX or ORD).  And now, I have survived the Icelandic Ash Cloud!  I feel like I need a tshirt or something!

At least I'm here on business, and there are things that can keep me busy...so I'm not too worried about an extended stay.  The hotel has me booked through next Monday and I'm in contact with the airlines and corporate travel (not too helpful by the way) and will see what I can do.  Until then...I'm enjoying one of my favorite cities in the world.  As far as being stranded goes...London ain't a bad place to be stranded...especially on the company dime...unless I do more shopping...that's all on me!  =)


ASH 4 - Europe 0

ASH Report Day 4 - out.

you laugh...until you cry...

so there has been a stir recently regarding senior proms.  First Constance wants to bring her girlfriend and the school district cancels the prom instead of allowing her to.  Then Derrick Martin asks to bring his male date and the school says yes - and supports him.  Rejoice.  Until you find out that his parents have kicked him out of their home because (if you read between the lines of their statement) he's gay.  This poor kid.  Constance might have had a tougher fight to get to prom, but she has a supportive family that is standing behind her.  Derrick has lost that now...it just makes me want to cry.  This poor kid is only standing up for his rights and has made a giant sacrifice because of it. 

Read more about it here, still trying to figure out if there are legit ways to help him out at this point...

Happy Birthday Owen...

Happy 7th Owen!  You are loved and missed!

love,

Uncle Greg

I wish...

that those that quote the Bible and use it as a tool to deny others rights and access would remember that there's only one way to heaven, but half a million ways to fall.  Maybe then they would realize that they're just like the rest of us and not have to hide in the closet and react to scandal when it surrounds them!

Just thoughts...

New York City is a place where every guy has their eyes on the door, to see who walks in next and what other prospects are out there.  It's like we're all waiting for something or someone better to walk into our lives, but would we even know if they did in the midst of this constant game?  It would be nice to stop for a while and live in the now with someone who's not playing the game.